Objectives of the NES-PF

maintain or improve the outcomes associated with plantation forestry activities

increase the efficiency and certainty of managing plantation forestry activities.

The objectives are achieved through a single set of regulations under the RMA that apply to foresters throughout New Zealand.

Why an NES for forestry activities

Councils currently manage the environmental effects of forestry activities through regional and district plans. As a result, the rules vary between and within regions. Some of these variations reflect local differences and community priorities. But where they don't, it can cause problems for the many forest owners who manage forests in 2 or more regions or have forests that straddle council boundaries. The variation results in:

increased costs

uncertainty about the plan rules they must follow.

The variations in rules can also lead to inconsistent environmental outcomes.

When the NES-PF comes into effect on 1 May 2018 it will provide a consistent set of regulations for plantation forestry activities. It covers 8 core plantation forestry activities, allowing these to be carried out as permitted activities subject to conditions to manage potential effects on the environment.

Where it isn't possible to manage these effects – for example, the site is at high risk of erosion and needs greater controls – the activity requires resource consent.

How the NES-PF works

pruning and thinning-to-waste (selective felling of trees where the felled trees remain on site)

earthworks

river crossings

forestry quarrying (extraction of rock, sand, or gravel within a plantation forest or for operation of a forest on adjacent land)

harvesting

mechanical land preparation

replanting.

The NES-PF applies to any forest of at least 1 hectare that has been planted specifically for commercial purposes and will be harvested.

Conditions to manage potential environmental effects

The regulations are based on good forestry practices.

Some examples of the conditions under the NES-PF regulations are:

setbacks when planting next to rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal areas. These unplanted strips protect against erosion and sedimentation from afforestation

management plans for earthworks, forest quarrying, and harvesting activities to identify environmental risks and how they'll be managed

identification and maintenance of storm water and sediment control measures for forestry activities.

If forest operators can meet the conditions, the activity is permitted. If not, they must seek a resource consent from their council.

Councils may charge for monitoring

Councils will be able to charge to recover the costs of monitoring permitted activities that require a management plan (harvesting, earthworks, and forest quarrying) and river crossings. These permitted activities have a higher risk of environmental effects if foresters don't comply with conditions.

If councils choose to set a charge, they'll need to comply with the requirements of the RMA and the Local Government Act. These include:

a public consultation process

having clear links between any charges and the activities being charged for

establishing charges covering reasonable costs.

This is the same process councils must currently use to charge for issuing and monitoring resource consents.

Implementing the NES-PF

The NES-PF will require changes to the way councils manage plantation forestry activities under the RMA. Councils and the forestry sector will need to understand the regulations. To help groups adjust to the changes, the NES-PF won't come into effect until 1 May 2018.

We'll provide guidance resources and run workshops to help foresters and councils:

understand how the regulations will work in practice

transition to the new rules.

Get updates on upcoming NES-PF materials and events by subscribing to plantation forestry updates on our website.

Material incorporated by reference in the regulations

References that are part of the NES-PF regulations (material incorporated by reference) are listed in Schedule 2 of the regulations. They include information that helps foresters understand the rules that apply to them.

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